Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Notable focus and density to the midrange that is unparalleled compared to other DACs
- Exceeding naturalness and deep detail
- Top end is smooth, and the low end is present and provides a substantial foundation
- More precise, revealing, and dynamic presentation
Product Considerations
- The review unit lacked a USB input, only offering AES/EBU and S/PDIF over Coax as inputs
- Might not suit audiophiles who prize dry, bright, or hard-sounding digital audio
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to solid-state DACs, the SW1X DAC IV Special has unparalleled focus and immediacy of dynamics, especially in the midrange
- Compared to the SW1X DAC V—the DAC IV has a more precise, revealing, and dynamic presentation
Takeaway: The SW1X DAC IV Special could be the answer if one wants to feel more emotionally connected to their music and escape the constant analysis of typical audiophile listening. It's designed to provide a musically engaging experience.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
DAC IV
reviews
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An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Dimensions (HxWxD): 250 x 450 x 410 mm
- Weight: 20 kg
- Max Power Consumption: 80W
- Output Noise, Unweighted: < 0.5 mVrms
- Output Impedance: <100 Ohms
Description
DAC IV is a further development in musical scale & refinement of the already magical sounding DAC III Balanced powered by Power Output Valves and Directly Heated Diodes (DHD) in the power supply. The DHD Valve power supplies are 2 x choke filtered and quasi dual mono in design. Accomodating everything in one chassis without interference of magnetic fields proved to be a real challenge but having everything housed in one chassis with much shorter signal paths turned out to be very rewarding in the end.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- SW1X uses classic circuit designs, often inspired by Kondo and Audio Note UK, reimagined with modern enhancements and a focus on harmonically matched components.
- A key element is the use of non-oversampling (NOS) DACs and a lack of digital filters, aiming to eliminate digital artifacts and achieve a more analog-like sound reproduction.
- SW1X offers a wide range of models and versions within each product line, allowing customers to tailor the sound to their specific tastes and system synergy through component and material choices, such as copper or silver wiring and different capacitor types.
Select products
Select product comparisons
SW1X DAC I Special 2
- Positioning: Entry-level line, designed for affordability and compactness.
- Description: Offers a pure NOS R2R design, providing a musical and organic sound that is rare in its price range. It features a simple yet effective valve amplification topology. Compared to higher models like the DAC II, it lacks the more advanced power supply and output stage configurations, making it suitable for smaller setups and those with a limited budget.
SW1X DAC II Balanced Special
- Positioning: Mid-range model with enhanced features for balanced audio output.
- Description: Combines the digital side of the DAC II with the power tube output stage of the DAC IV, offering a dynamic and engaging sound. It features a balanced signal output transformer and active I/V conversion, providing a more refined audio experience than the DAC I.
SW1X DAC III VSB
- Positioning: Mid to high-end model with USB connectivity for versatile use.
- Description: Integrates a USB interface, making it versatile for modern digital setups. It offers a pure NOS design with a valve output stage, providing a rich and detailed sound. Compared to the DAC II, it includes larger power supplies and a more robust output stage.
SW1X DAC IV
- Positioning: High-end model with advanced power supply and output stage.
- Description: Features directly heated diodes and a power valve output stage, offering a mature and large-scale sonic presentation. It surpasses the DAC III in dynamic range and musical refinement.
SW1X DAC X
- Positioning: Flagship model, representing the pinnacle of SW1X engineering.
- Description: The ultimate endgame DAC, combining technologies from the entire SW1X lineup into one chassis. It features a non-oversampling R2R design with a directly heated power triode valve output stage, delivering a musical and natural sound.
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Avg. Product Price
$20,001-$30,000
Used For Sale
5
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
302
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
46
Founding Year
Our take on the brand
SW1X Audio Design creates DACs that use a non-oversampling approach and vintage TDA1541 chips with tube output stages, avoiding digital filtering to maintain a more natural, analog-like sound. Their products feature separate power supply chassis designs and harmonically matched vintage components, including directly heated triode tubes and AB resistors, which are carefully selected for their distinctive sonic qualities.
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Brand Page
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What if you spend more?
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What competes at this price?
Totaldac
d1-triunity
23089
/
Released
2023
The d1-triunity benefits from the new Totaldac "unity" DAC architecture, with about 290 components upgraded or added to the electronic boards. The d1-triunity is a d1-unity but with 3 R2R ladders per channel instead of one, giving a lower noise and the real scale of each instrument.
Totaldac is known for using R-2R ladder DAC technology with discrete resistors and high-precision Vishay metal foil resistors, aiming to provide a more natural, analog-like sound without oversampling or digital filters. The brand appeals to audiophiles who prioritize listening experience over measurements, with their products delivering a rich, dense tone that many compare to live performances.
Expand Details
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The d1-triunity DAC is praised for its ability to reflect the core characteristics of music with purism and vibrancy
- The 'unity' architecture provides more presence, more contrast between the timbres and sizes of each instrument, more clarity, and at the same time more body and more dynamics—making the sound more realistic and natural
- Offers a richer, sweeter, fuller sound and a more spacious presentation compared to the d1-unity
- Achieves dynamic power, low-frequency depth, and punch with a skillfully engineered Class-A output stage providing double the voltage
- Transmits detail and nuance without sounding etched or bright, and provides great tonality, especially with acoustic instruments
Product Considerations
- The chassis is constructed from folded steel and the rear panel is of a thin gauge, which makes the external construction less substantial than some rivals
- Maximum resolution of 24-bit/192 kHz without the optional DSD module might be a limitation
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The d1-triunity brings improvements that make music sound more vibrant and alive, while offering a finer-grained view compared to the Totaldac d1-unity
- The d1-triunity provides universal compatibility in terms of voltage output, and advances the sonic performance aspect compared to the Totaldac d1-direct
Takeaway: The d1-triunity is an impressive DAC that effortlessly handles music and makes it emotion-tugging with crystallizing quality. It offers remarkable musical insight without sacrificing speed and clarity, making it a worthwhile addition to any high-end audio system.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Totaldac is known for using R-2R ladder DAC technology with discrete resistors and high-precision Vishay metal foil resistors, aiming to provide a more natural, analog-like sound without oversampling or digital filters. The brand appeals to audiophiles who prioritize listening experience over measurements, with their products delivering a rich, dense tone that many compare to live performances.
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